Hi, I test drove the IS250 yesterday and have some questions.

Does Lexus financing give good rates? On my last 2 new acura's, they've given me 4.9% when I've asked for it.

Does a base RWD IS250 /Auto come with just the NAV as an option?
That's the only thing I want,but I was told that with Nav models they usually have another package. Is this true?

Anyone recommend a california Bay area dealer that will sell at Invoice?

I drove a car with 18 inch wheels, as it seems the dealer ONLY had cars with the upgraded wheels. 17 inch are base correct? How different is the handling wiht those vs the base wheels?

Does the nav have a calendar, calculator or other functions?
Does it have "Find nearest gas station" voice commands?
"find nearest fast food" ? etc?

Thanks!

Go to the Lexus web site, and in the IS section choose "Build your IS" and enter your zip code. The web site will return the combinations of options that are available in standard dealer allocations in your region. If you want something different, you'll have to do a special order.

Calendar yes, calculator no, other functions yes.
It does have "find nearest gas station" and "find nearest Italian restaurant" and even "I'm hungry" to light up restaurant icons on the screen.

Ummm On Lexus.com, It lists the Nav only under the $5000 package and up, but then if u select it, it doesn't let you pick the nav as an option?

It's very confusing.

Is someone about to tell me if I want the Nav, I MUST buy one of the 5-6K packages to then spend another $2500 for the nav?

That's why all the cars with Nav had 18 inch tires at the dealer.. cuz they had that 5K package + the Nav.

So this IS is becoming a 40K+ car. Out of my league, back to Acura I guess.
I'm quite shocked.. can someone please confirm??

I don't think you can get the Nav without one of the packages..

MSRP is over $40K then..But thats MRSP..Do some research on Edmunds.com

Figure out what the car costs the dealer..Make them a decent offer..You might be surprised.

FYI even at 'invoice' dealers still make money..there are things like holdback that are basically rebates to the dealer from the manufacturer...You won't find it on any invoice..but it exists.

I got my IS350 with just about all but park assist, wiper washers and radar Cruise for less than MSRP and close to invoice

From Edmunds.com Sometimes individual things are only available with packages. If this all holds..you should be able to get for around $33K

VERY good post!

To the OP: You are going to be buying in CA I assume, just FYI I and many others here paid around 32k-33k for a fully loaded IS250. That should give you a good idea of what you should be paying too. DONT PAY MORE!

Your saying fully loaded with Nav, heated seats, HID lights, all of that stuff?

Your talking about a 2500 nav + 5000 package?
So for 38 MRSP, u are getting it for 32K?

Im still trying to find out if they make just the base car with the nav.
Considering I drive 8 miles to work, I'm also considering just getting the base car .

Is the base car even available?? Base = 27K MRSP vs 32K.
So for that 5K I may just go base and use the money for something else.

But it seems in CA, there's no base cars?? Ugh...

Everything will depend on selling my TSX, will someone pay 16K for a used 04 TSX... I know dealers sell them for 20-24K,but they have finanicing and lure people. I'm an individual, so I dont know how this will work.

How do you sell the car privately when I still owe a bit of money to the bank? They are on the title.

I think the Nav is part of the $5K package..not in addition

better off to look for a credit union for a car loan....lexus financing is running at least 7% and up....

I knew couples guys in 2 dealers....PM me for details....

Yea, I did a credit union.

last august when i bought my car, Lexus offered me 6.75% and my credit score is very high. needless to say, i didn't go with them and went with my credit union.

I'm not part of a credit union... so can I just apply to any credit union?
Should I use my bank, or like Eloan?

I think Costco has 5% deal....

Costco is always good to deal with.

Check out BankRate to get a good idea of competitive rates.

http://aol1.bankrate.com/aol/default.asp

Costco is 6%, market rate is 6.7%.... no deal there really.

Infinity is 1.9%, and Acura is 4.9% with $1500 off from Acura for the TL, making that very attractive vs an IS.

I'm tending to gravitate back towards Acura due to $....
I think even another TSX would be ok, cept next year a new one is coming out. I feel weird driving the identical car for the next 4 years....

What else is in the TSX/IS250 class (small sports sedan) and is made by toyota/Honda. Basically a fully loaded Accord only?

Hey AKK,

I have been quoted around 32,000 from a Lexus Dealer in Santa Clara for the IS250 RWD and navigation, the best offer so far. Not exactly sure what the MSRP is, but if I remember correctly, it is around 37,500 on Edmunds.com.

Really, in terms of pricing right now, the cost is about the same, but the Acura TL quotes have been about a few hundred to over $1000 more than the Lexus IS250 with nav. The quotes is also with the $1500 marketing support to dealers until the end of this month. Who knows, maybe they might extend it for next month. Still deciding between the two. Going for a test drive today on both the Acura and Lexus. Though I like the styling of the Lexus a little bit more.

The only real difference as far as I am concerned is that the Lexus does not have is the real time traffic data on their nav, though we do have to pay for it and probably not that useful to me with the kind of traffic I get here.

And the tires, why did Lexus opt to have the front and rear 18inch tires different? With that, I can't rotate the tires and will have to replace them faster.


Oh well, gotta go and good luck with your search.